Former University of Iowa College of Education faculty member Alan Frank passed away October 3, 2025, at the age of 85.

Frank grew up in Long Beach, California. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from UCLA, and a master’s degree from California State College in Los Angeles, he and his wife, Dorothy “Dottie” Vcelka, moved to Iowa City in 1968. 

Shortly after earning his PhD in Special Education from the University of Iowa in 1970, Frank joined the UI College of Education faculty, where he would serve for nearly three decades. 

During his tenure at Iowa, Frank held numerous leadership roles, including chairperson of the Division of Special Education. 

He was deeply dedicated to the field, not only as a faculty member but also as a prolific researcher, special education teacher, and teacher trainer, impacting countless students and educators throughout his career.

Frank retired from the university in 1999.

“I first met Alan in 1973 when I joined the faculty in Special Education at the University of Iowa. He and I were the same age and both of us had been Special Education teachers in public schools before we went back to get advanced degrees. We also co-taught a few graduate courses,” says friend and former colleague, Professor Emerita Kathryn “Kit” Gerken. “He was such a nice person and was so attentive to all of his students and peers.” 

As conveyed in his obituary, “Alan enjoyed travel, working in his gardens, and the companionship of his cats over the years, including his current cat, Bobcat. He and Dottie raised their three children in Iowa City, and was known as ‘Grampy’ to his grandchildren.”

Read Alan Frank’s full obituary

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Friday, October 10, 2025, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, in Iowa City.